Conceptual marriages, leading cause of divorces - Clergyman

Tamale, Aug 31, GNA - The Most Reverend Philip Naameh, Episcopal Chairman for Education of the Catholic Church, has observed that prevailing conceptual marriages was leading cause of divorces resulting in numerous broken homes and single parentage in the country. He expressed worry that some people mutually lived together as married couples without holy matrimony or the consent of their families and " The least provocation results in breaking up of the relationship".

Most Rev. Naameh, who is also Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, was addressing the 9th National Congress of Catholic Teacher Trainees in Tamale on Monday.

He said: "Modern culture has placed the pleasure of human interest and the enjoyment of life above all things thereby belittling the word of God while ridiculing holy matrimony with consensual marriage". The clergyman urged teachers to be dedicated to their work, uphold the Catholic discipline and traditional values and instil morality in their students.

Mr. Paul Kelley, headmaster of St. Charles Seminary Senior High School in Tamale, noted that teaching was both a profession and a calling and those who had responded to the call must give of their best and live beyond reproach. He urged General Managers of Catholic schools in the various regions to step up their supervisory role to uplift the reputation of Catholic schools in the country.

Mr. Kelley said St. Charles School had chalked an enviable academic record since its inception in 1953 at Wiaga in the Upper East Region but said the institution lacked adequate infrastructure. The National President of the Catholic Teacher Trainees, Mr. Isaac Adongo Baba asked teachers to accept postings to the rural areas as a fulfilment of Christ's mission of reaching out to every one. The Association launched a magazine entitled "The Counselor", to promote activities of the association. 31 Aug 09